Whether July Fourth holiday plans will take place on land or on the water, Col. Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds Missouri’s travelers of the importance of safety.
In 2013, 19 people were killed and 618 injured in the state over the holiday in 1,349 traffic crashes. One person was killed or injured every 9.6 minutes. Troopers worked 358 crashes, in which 13 people died and 157 were injured during the 2013 July Fourth holiday. Troopers arrested 199 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s 102-hour holiday counting period.
The 2014 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6 p.m., Thursday, July 3, to 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 6, which spans 78 hours.
The July Fourth weekend is also one of the quarterly DWI enforcement mobilization dates. Many of the troops have checkpoints and saturations scheduled for this period. Troopers have a zero tolerance for drinking and driving, whether on the road or on the water.
Troopers throughout the state will participate in a saturation effort. The operation will include Interstates 35, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. 60 and 63. Troopers will be highly visible while targeting all traffic violations, and be especially vigilant of aggressive driving violations.
Motorists who need assistance or who witness criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways can contact the nearest highway patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. Motorists may call 888-275-6636 to check for road construction or possible flooding along their travel route.
The patrol also reminds the public that the Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest boating holidays of the year. In 2013, there were 19 boating crashes, which included 13 injuries and one fatality. Three people drowned during last year’s July Fourth holiday. Two people drowned at Smithville Lake in Clay County, and one person drowned at New Towne Lake in St. Charles County.
Troopers will also be working on the state’s waters to ensure safety. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other boats and swimmers, and being courteous on the water. With more boats on the water, it is even more important to pay attention when operating your vessel.
Remember:
•Distractions and alcohol consumption slow reaction time.
•Appoint a passenger to help monitor the other boats around you.
•Make evasive maneuvers early and deliberately.
The many firework displays after dark attract many more boaters at night. At night, remember to:
•Check your vessel’s navigation lights before heading out, and be sure to have spare bulbs on board.
•Avoid overloading your boat with too many passengers. This can cause the boat to become swamped and affect the handling of the boat.
•Observe Missouri’s nighttime speed limit of 30 miles per hour on the water.
•Slow down and take your time. Nighttime crashes tend to involve more serious injuries and damage, due to the lack of visibility.
•It is illegal to discharge fireworks from a vessel, so leave them in a safe place on shore.
“I encourage every motorist and every watercraft operator to make safety a priority every time they are behind the wheel or at the helm. Insist that everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Or, when you’re boating, ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket,” said Replogle. “Please be courteous whether operating a vehicle or a vessel. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to act as your sober chauffeur.”
As of Saturday morning, there have been no injury-related accidents in the county since the holiday counting period began.